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Occupational exposure limits for manufactured nanomaterials, a systematic review
Raluca Mihalache1, Jos Verbeek1, Halshka Graczyk2
1a Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Cochrane Work Group , Kuopio , Finland.
Nanotoxicology
|November 30, 2016
Summary
Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) are crucial for worker protection. This review found 56 OEL values, highlighting variability and the need for systematic derivation to manage risks effectively.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
- Nanomaterial Safety
Background:
- Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) possess unique toxicological properties distinct from bulk materials, posing potential human health risks.
- Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) are proposed for risk management and worker protection concerning MNMs.
- Uncertainty persists regarding the adverse health effects of MNMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing proposals for OELs for MNMs.
- To understand the scope and derivation methods of proposed OELs for MNMs.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase databases.
- Extensive search string utilized for comprehensive data retrieval.
- Independent data extraction by two authors.
Main Results:
- Identified 20 studies proposing 56 OEL values for MNMs.
- OEL proposals varied significantly for specific nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and metals.
- Workplace exposure levels may exceed the highest proposed OELs, indicating the utility of OELs for exposure reduction.
Conclusions:
- OELs serve as valuable benchmarks for reducing workplace exposure to MNMs.
- There is a critical need for more OELs with robust scientific support and systematic derivation methodologies.
